Contractors Are Key Element in Improving Specifications to Favor Concrete

Contractors continue to be a key element in improving specifications to position concrete more favorably, reports NRMCA Vice President, National Resources, Amy Miller. More than a year ago Rafael Jimenez, P.E., market development manager of NRMCA Producer member Cemex, submitted documentation to optimize concrete pavement sections for an engineering firm retained by an NRMCA National Account. Initially, the firm was unwilling to fully revise its specifications, resulting in a concrete pavement that was substantially more expensive than it needed to be. The firm cited "standard practice" for its methodology for over-designing concrete pavements. Jimenez  continued visiting the firm and delivering the message that properly-designed pavements would bring the greatest value to its clients. Most recently, this engineering firm changed its design recommendations to adhere to ACI 330 R-08 guidelines. The change was precipitated by the the insistence of the National Account's general contractor, after a design review with Jimenez. The engineering firm finally agreed to make those changes only because the contractor requested them.

"When the owner is making concrete pavement decisions based on the advice of its consultants and contractors, it’s critical that our industry properly educates, and facilitate a dialogue among, all parties involved," Jimenez said. "In this case it took a broad consensus, as well as persistent effort from both the NRMCA and CEMEX, before the owner agreed to accept a major deviation in the traditional design and construction of its retail sites."

"This is not uncommon," added Miller. "We’ve seen major changes happen at large National Accounts only when the primary consultants are in agreement. Those consultants often include key contractors with whom the national account has built a long-standing and trusting relationship."

For more information, contact Amy Miller at amiller@nrmca.org.